The Reveal

Good morning!

If you follow this blog regularly you know that the past many entries have been from the book of Isaiah, the Old Testament book which contains more prophecies about the coming Messiah (Jesus) than any other.  We began yesterday in the book of John, because in writing his book under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, John sought to communicate clearly to people who Jesus is.  He emphasizes his eye-witness testimony and also that of his contemporaries, most of whom believed so strongly that Jesus is God they gave their lives up as martyrs rather than recant their belief.

We continue this morning in John 1.  Let's start by examining verses 4 and 16:

"In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind."

"Out of his {Christ's} fulness we have all received grace, in place of grace already given."

I touched on verse 4 yesterday, the fact that the apostle John chose the similes "light" and "life" to best describe Jesus.  Why do you suppose that was?  Additionally, Jesus frequently echoed these descriptors.  Here is but one example, John 8:12, where Jesus stated,

"I am the light of the world; he that follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

Other examples include:  John 3:16, 3:19, 5:26, 11:25, 12:46.  You can see from these that a very prevalent theme of the book of John is "eternal life".

But, let's focus on light for a moment.  What does light do?  It illuminates.  It reveals.  It makes plain.

One of my favorite networks to watch is HGTV.  I especially like those real estate shows that spend the majority of the time fixing up a property and then, at the end, "revealing" the final outcome to the owners.  The looks of amazement and delight on their faces and in their words are thrilling.  This new, transformed home has been revealed to them!  And, as they embrace it, their joy bursts forth.

Jesus shines light on the Old Testament.  He reveals the Father to us.  He transforms the Old Testament for us.  By studying His life on earth, we come to understand in a deeper way God's divine plan which He knew "from everlasting to everlasting".  Jesus said,

"He who has seen me has seen the Father." (John 14:9) 

Look at John 1:16 now.  John testifies,

"Out of his fulness we have received grace, in place of grace already given." 

Out of Jesus's completeness, His abundance, we humans have received grace, in place of the Old Testament version of grace that we had been given by God prior to Jesus' finished work on our behalf.

When you read the Old Testament, the concept of grace does not immediately jump out at you, does it?

The OT appears to be a collection of books featuring an angry God, and a bunch of wandering, apostate people, who have to live under a collection of the weirdest rules ever!  But, if you read closely, the constant themes of the Old Testament are these:
1.  God is pursuing people, to draw them into a relationship with Him.
2.  He chose the Hebrew people as his special agents to carry the Messianic bloodline through to Jesus' birth and also to preserve His truth (the OT Scriptures) for all people groups.
3.  Although He gave the Hebrews a codex of Torah (the Law) to follow, it was not the following of that Law which made them right with Him.  It was, rather, the attitude of their hearts as evidenced by their blood sacrifices of animals.  Think about that for a moment.  Do you REALLY think that a lamb's blood, smeared on a doorpost, deterred the Death Angel from the children of the Hebrews in the last OT plague upon Egypt?  (Exodus 12)  No, my friends.  The blood was not the magic.  It was the attitude of trust, belief, FAITH that caused the Hebrews to put the blood on the doorposts; it was obedient FAITH that brought the GRACE of God reigning down on them.

Likewise, in Jesus' perfection, His perfect blood sacrifice for us, we are offered eternal grace and forgiveness.  No more animal sacrifices needed!  This is why Jesus is referred to by John the Baptist as "the Lamb of God"!

"Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!"

John 1:29

John the B. GOT IT!  And, it's very important that we "get it", if we are to understand who Jesus truly is.  John the B. didn't say, by the way, "who takes away the sins of the Jewish people".  Even then, he understood that Jesus would die to save ALL people who choose to accept Him as Savior.

To partake in this glorious redemption God offers us, we must choose Him, in faith.  If you have already made that most important decision of your life, and have chosen Him, I rejoice with you. Let's thank Him as we walk resplendent today!  If you have not, I urge you to stop running, turn away from your former life by repenting, and embrace Him in faith today.

Father, you remember we sang this precious song in choir practice last night, and its words resonate with me this morning:
"Undone by mercy and left speechless, watching wide-eyed at the cost!  May I never lose the wonder, the wonder of the Cross."  lyrics by Vicky Beeching, The Wonder of the Cross
O Spotless Lamb, there was no imperfection in You, no "blemish" upon You.  You were and are our perfect sacrifice.  I bow my heart before You in worship and praise, for Your marvelous, finished work, and that You drew me to You.  Your offered salvation is mine, forever.  Thank you!  In Jesus' name, amen.